A Talk with Teachers and Students of Schools Training Military Cadres
(1966)
(1)
The method of dispatching military cadres to train revolutionary teachers and students is very good. There is a great difference between conducting such training and not doing so. By adopting this approach, one can learn from the People’s Liberation Army in politics, in military affairs, in practicing the “Four Firsts”[2], in upholding the “Three-Eight Style”[3], and in observing the “Three Major Rules of Discipline and Eight Points of Attention”[4], thereby strengthening organizational discipline. The experience of the Beijing garrison units in sending cadres to train revolutionary teachers and students has been highly successful and should be promoted nationwide.


Printed according to “Chairman Mao on the Educational Revolution,” published by the People’s Publishing House in December 1967.


Notes


[1] In the Notice issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on December 31, 1966, concerning short-term military and political training for revolutionary teachers and students in colleges and secondary schools, this passage was quoted following the sentence: “During his recent audiences with revolutionary teachers and students from all over the country who had come to Beijing, Chairman Mao repeatedly raised this point with Comrade Lin Biao.”


[2] The “Four Firsts” refer to giving priority to human factors, to political work, to ideological work, and to living thought.


[3] The “Three-Eight Style” consists of three maxims—“a firm and correct political orientation; a hardworking and frugal style of work; flexible and mobile strategies and tactics”—and eight characters: “unity, seriousness, rigor, and liveliness.”


[4] The “Three Major Rules of Discipline” are: obey all orders without question; do not take even a needle or thread from the masses; and turn over all captured property to the collective. The “Eight Points of Attention” are: speak kindly; deal fairly in trade; return borrowed items; compensate for anything damaged; refrain from beating or insulting people; avoid damaging crops; do not harass women; and treat prisoners of war with humanity.